Professionalism in Volunteerism

Volunteerism, according to the Collins English Dictionary, is "the principle of donating time and energy for the benefit of other people in the community as a social responsibility rather than for any financial reward". Another definition is provided by Webster New World College Dictionary: "the theory or practice of being a volunteer or of using volunteers, as, without pay, in social agencies, charitable organizations, etc.". 

Professionalism is defined by Merriam-Webster as "the conduct, aims, or qualities that characterize or mark a profession or a professional person." Each profession (e.g. teacher, lawyer, doctor, etc.) would have its own conduct, aims or qualities. 

Parishes, like others communities, thrive because of volunteers. Notice how our liturgies are facilitated by a number of altar servers, lectors/commentators, choir members, collectors, welcomers, etc. It is no joke to be a volunteer to any of these ministries. One must devote time and effort regularly to serve. When I served as a lector/commentator at the Manila Cathedral almost 20 years ago, I appreciated and understood better what a 'volunteer' meant. Every Sunday morning, I would travel from Gagalangin to Intramuros to serve in one Mass. I could have opted to serve in my parish, but I saw the need for volunteers in the Cathedral. Having a non-parish status, it relies heavily on volunteers coming from different parts of the City. 

Being a volunteer is good because you give something back to the community. However there is this temptation to feel superior because of the role we perform (which we may think others cannot do). There is also this wrong notion that because you are a volunteer you can just operate according to your own whims like a palitaw (small, flat, sweet rice cake).

Although being a volunteer is not a profession in the strictest sense of the word, I think by adhering to a 'code of conduct', volunteers would be able to keep on track. Going back to volunteering in the parish, the best 'code of conduct' I could think of is “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Luke 10:27). By being motivated by that love for God and our neighbor, we would have a genuine malasakit (concern) for our parish.  

By being moved by love, we would see ourselves as part of the community: a team player who will do our share in making our liturgies or other events meaningful, a team player who will communicate in case we are unable to serve, a team player who is ready to help.

By putting on that love in our service, we would remain humble and see our work as a small contribution to God's own work. Being humble also means being aware of our limitations and God's abundance. By living that love for God and neighbor (they go hand-in-hand!), we would be able to use our ministry to reach out to others, encourage them to see the beauty of being a volunteer for the Lord and His people, and inspiring them to join in. 

Father Upset Me

"Oca! Long time no see!", Jess exclaimed as he saw his friend in the mall. "Have you moved elsewhere? I haven't seen you in church for quite a while now". "Fr. X upset me", Oca said sadly.  “Why, what happened?”, asked Jess. "I felt he didn't value my service in the parish for the past 30 or so years". Oca has long been an active member in their parish, long before Jess moved there.

“I have been playing the guitar during Sunday Masses long before Fr. X became parish priest. Ever since he came, he made changes that prevented me and the choir I accompany from serving at Mass.”, Oca lamented. “I have noticed that every time there is a parish celebration, it would always take place during the Mass where our choir is scheduled to sing. Worse, he’ll ask another choir to do the singing. Our choir is only informed when everyone else in the parish knows who’ll sing. At first, I just put up with it until he berated us in church one Sunday, in front of a number of people”.

“Why would he do that?”, Jess asked. “He did not like what we sung. He could have called us aside and speak to us like adults”, replied Oca.

“I am so sorry to hear about what happened, Oca. I thought you just moved house…it never occurred to me that you left because of such issues with Fr. X", Jess said.

"He has his favorites, Jess. Unfortunately, I am not one of those. He does not value people. I just go to another Catholic church to attend Mass. God isn't confined to one parish, di ba?"

Jess simply nodded. Before they parted ways, he gave Oca a big hug for he felt the hurt his friend has experienced in the hands of their parish priest.

As I write this, most parishes in the Archdiocese of Manila would have been welcoming their new parish priests following a reshuffle in parish assignments. This major reshuffle hasn't taken place since the time of Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales.  Some parishioners would definitely miss their former pastors hoping that the new one would be like the old one or be much better. Some, I guess would sigh a relief especially if they could identify their former pastors in Fr. X or themselves with poor Oca in the above story.

I have encountered and worked with a handful of parish priests. Generally, they are good. Sadly, there were a few who have almost put me off in my faith and service in the parish. Like Oca, I just moved to another church where I am welcomed and can freely worship God and serve Him in the community. 

If I were Oca, I would have confronted Fr. X. I must admit that this is a path which we lay people do not usually go to. I would also inform the bishop of what happened to him.  At least the bishop is aware of the situation.  

The Diocese of Nottingham witnessed the installation of Msgr Patrick McKinney as its new bishop yesterday. Bishop Patrick's motto is "Seek the face of Christ". Let us pray then that our parish priests (and all priests for that matter) would continuously seek the face of Christ in their flock regardless of their status, that they would play no favorites, that they would be merciful, wise, respectful, and prudent when dealing with people. 

Some would argue "You cannot please everyone". True, however being rude or suplado (snobbish) or bossy is unacceptable. 

***

Best wishes to Monsignori Nestor Cerbo, Hernando Coronel, Mario Enriquez, and Alberto Salonga Jr.as well as Father Genaro Diwa on their new assignments in the Archdiocese of Manila!

Monsignori Cerbo and Coronel were rectors of the Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (Manila Cathedral). It was during Msgr. Coronel's time when Richard Leyson and I became lector-commentators there in November 1998. Msgr. Ding (or Fr. Ding as he once signed a book he wrote which I bought) was a cool and caring priest. I enjoyed having breakfast with him and other colleagues at the refectory after Mass. He's now Rector and Parish Priest of Quiapo Church!

In early 2002, he was succeeded by Msgr. Cerbo who, like me, is a product of Letran and UST. Msgr. Cerbo welcomed my inputs during my short stint as Coordinator for the Lectors-Commentators. When I left for the UK in 2003, he even gave me a despedida party. He's now Pastor of St. John the Baptist Church in San Juan!

Msgr. Enriquez was parish priest of Gagalangin from 1988 to 1993. It was during his tenure that I began serving in Gagalangin. A silent type of priest, Fr. Mar, as we would call him then, is known for empowering the lay faithful in the parish. During Mass, you could often see his hands clasped in prayer and how gently he utters the prayers. He's now Rector and Parish Priest of Ermita Church!

Msgr. Salonga is the immediate parish priest and rector of the Archdiocesan Shrine of Espiritu Santo. Years ago, Nidz and I would attend the Simbang Gabi as well as some Sunday and Wednesday Masses in that beautiful church. I like the way Msgr. Albert would give his homily: how he connects the first and second readings with the Gospel and what is the relevance of these readings in our daily living. He's now Rector and Parish Priest of the Archdiocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy!

Fr. Diwa used to be priest-in-charge of the liturgy at the Manila Cathedral. I would often assist him at Mass and other liturgical-related stuff since I was leading the lectors-commentators during that time. I am fascinated with his love for the liturgy, a love that kindled my interest in the same field as I serve as a Mass reader and special minister of Holy Communion here in the UK. He's now Rector and Parish Priest of the National Shrine of St. Michael and the Archangels!

God bless you all, padres!

A New Opportunity to Serve

When it was first offered to me, I declined it. I felt it wasn’t for me. I was already comfortable in one role and would not want to have another. I just feel unconfident and unworthy.

Something suddenly flashed back. During the first few months I started serving my parish in Manila, I was scandalized by the behaviour of some of the elder male parishioners and for a while did not receive Holy Communion from them. I softened my stance not only because it was unfair for the rest of their good colleagues, but it was also impractical to queue on the priest when there are half a dozen able to give you the Body of Christ. Besides, there is considerable distance between the choir stall and the priest. (The tussle between me and some of these old men became dormant for a while, but erupted anew on several occasions – I’ll discuss this in another issue.)

One of the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion that I admire was the late Santos Nepomuceno. Tatay Santos as we would call him was an unassuming man. We would ask for his hand for blessing which he generously give. He had this disposition as though I am receiving Communion from a holy man so much so that I kneel when I take the Lord’s Body from Tatay’s hands whenever we both would serve at Mass – him as Extraordinary Minister while I as commentator.

When I moved to the Manila Cathedral in 1998, I was warmly welcomed by the collectors and the extraordinary ministers. Their groups were so intact. They eat breakfast together at the Cathedral dining hall, most of the time the priests. They didn’t let me feel alone (During those times, the lectors/commentators group wasn’t as organised as it is now. At times, there is only one who will do the lector and commentator bits. The likes of Bro. Joe (RIP), Mang Ramon, and Ka Tino will forever be treasured in my heart.

Migrating to the UK, I volunteered to be a Mass reader, continuing what I have started in the Philippines. Three years later, Fr. Paul Newman who was our parish priest then invited me to be an extraordinary minister as he needs people to assist him at Mass and distribute Communion to the sick and housebound. I told him I’ll think about it. I decided to decline the offer.

Back to the present now! Fr. Gerry Murphy succeeded Fr. Paul. I’m still doing the readings from time to time. Suddenly, a letter inviting me to be an extraordinary minister arrived at our home. Its words were persuasive. As though the typed words were not enough, the words “Do say Yes!” were hand-written. I told myself I don’t want to decline this time. In spite of that I had some concerns. Will I be able to fulfil this role if my wife is at work and I’ll have to look after Chiara? How will I manage? I might be more of a liability than an asset to the community!
I confided to a friend my situation and he told me that if the Lord is calling me to serve then I should go for it. I contacted Fr. Gerry to say “Yes” to his invite at the same time told him my concerns. There were two training evenings. I wasn’t able to make it on one of them so they arranged another one for those who were unable to attend.

On the two evening sessions I attended, I noticed that Fr. Gerry read the story of the Roman centurion’s faith in Jesus. The words we say at Mass “Lord, I am not worthy….” were inspiring. People shared how they felt unworthy to be part of this ministry. For me that unworthiness does not only stem from being sinful, but also being fearful of not being able to perform well in this ministry and of not being able to explore other ministries in the parish that are undermanned. I’m glad that during our sharing sessions, most if not all of us trainees have the same concerns – there was a father who like me can sometimes struggle to participate attentively in the Mass because of an active toddler under my care, there was a mother who sometimes works on weekends, etc.

After our sharing, we made our way to the church passing through the Poor Clares Monastery Chapel for some practicals on how we will be distributing Communion (either holding the bread or the chalice). In the chapel (as well as in the meeting room where we have just been) there was a huge image of Our Lady carrying the Infant Jesus. Beneath the image were the words “My mother, my confidence”. This attracted me a lot and before exiting the chapel, I helped myself to a stampita with a replica of the same image and a leaflet on its devotion.

At the end of our practicals, we rehearsed for our commissioning which will take place this weekend. Will I or will I not?

My concerns and fears are still there. They won’t go away like magic. Nevertheless, I humbly accept this new opportunity for me to serve the Lord and His people. In a way I am excited to bring Jesus to everyone especially to the sick, if I am allowed to soon. I know it’s Jesus calling me to this ministry. I believe He will see me through it. I place my trust in Him. And like Him, I confide too in His Mother and mine.

Please say a prayer for me.